Meet the Team
The Owners
Patty Benton
Co-owner of Virtual Business Group; Editor of the VBG Newsletter
Patty’s background as a teacher makes her a natural as a coach and facilitator. She began her own journey into working virtually in 2003, as a virtual assistant. It wasn’t long before she added coaching to her business services. She is the inspiration behind JERPAT Training & Coaching and has been growing her own business and VA associates at an amazing rate. Patty lives in Colorado, is married with 5 children, 3 young ones that live with her and 2 from her husband’s previous marriage that reside in Arizona with their mother. Patty is excited about her roles in VBG and the prospect of connecting many different industries together virtually. Patty is passionate about keeping God in all aspects of her life, personal and professional. Patty, (with Dolly) is co-founder of Acknowledging Christ at Work URL: http://www.actatwork.com/ . Patty’s business URLs: http://www.virtualvacoach.com/ and http://www.moretime4u.org/.
Paula Dodds
Co-owner of Virtual Business Group; Volunteer Coordinator
Paula’s professional background was as an administrative assistant for many years before she began working virtually. She started her VA business in 2000, and has been going strong since. Paula lives in Nebraska, is married to Skylar,(webmaster) and together they have 2 young daughters at home; several online business ventures, including continuing her own VA business. Only someone with an exceptional talent for organization could keep their head on straight and make all that look easy. In her spare time, Paula loves to read, spend special time with her family, scrapbooks, and studies Christian literature. Paula’s business URL: http://www.psdodds.com/.
Dolly Hooker
Co-owner of Virtual Business Group; Organizer Extraordinaire
Dolly’s diverse experience includes 23 years in management and supervisory positions. Her extensive background makes her a wonderful coach and mentor. She worked in direct sales, was a restaurant manager, nursing home supervisor, pre-school teacher/owner, and for the last 4 years has been working virtually, 3 years as a virtual assistant and has a year under her belt of coaching experience. She and her husband relocated from Florida to Idaho during the summer and are getting adjusted to their new way of life. Dolly has 3 grown children and a 7 year-old son at home. Dolly also has been blessed with 3 grandchildren. Dolly’s other interests, besides family, are church activities, scrapbooking and writing. Dolly is also a co-founder (with Patty) of Acknowledging Christ at Work URL: http://www.actatwork.com/ Dolly’s business URL: http://www.virtualvacoach.com/.
The Volunteers
Skylar Dodds, Virtual Business Group Webmaster
Skylar’s background is in computer programming and graphic design. He brings 11 years experience to VBG, including website design awards from Microsoft, Mozilla, and the Golden Web. He is married to Paula, “an amazing woman,” and partners with her in their virtual businesses. He is excited about their newest venture, virtual business group, because he believes it is a great opportunity for networking and a fantastic learning place. Skylar says his greatest accomplishment is that he “married up.” Paula is a lucky woman! Skylar’s other passions are his faith, his children and sports. Skylar’s business URL: http://www.psdodds.com/.
Diana Beidel, Virtual Business Group Book Club Coordinator
Diana’s wide-ranging background combines 20 years of contract administration, management assistant, project manager, engineering, real estate commercial and property management, law enforcement and human resources. Such diverse and marketable skills make her one of the most accomplished, established virtual assistants in the industry. Diana is married with 2 children and lives in Nevada. She says that she is excited about the re-launch of VBG and is pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the group. Diana believes the creativity, determination, and dedication of the new owners will only enhance the new VBG. Diana’s business URL: http://www.passitonvirtualassistant.com/.
Lori Clark, Virtual Business Group Administrative Assistant Coordinator
Lori’s professional background includes over 20 years as an administrator, project manager and executive assistant to C-level professionals across a variety of industries. Lori’s a natural born administrator who thrives on helping professionals claim and maintain “white space” in their busy days. Lori is thrilled to be a member of the new VBG. Located just outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, in her free time Lori is focused on remodeling her 150+ year old home, herding cats, and hopes to someday publish a children’s book and historical novel. Lori’s business URL: http://www.clarkvasolutions.com/.
Teri Dempski, Virtual Business Group Newsletter Assistant Editor
Teri’s background includes over 20 years working in the medical and computer networking fields. Teri then jumped into the education field and now works part-time as a substitute teacher. She has just launched her own virtual assistant business. The newest of the group to join in the virtual realm, she is excited to be a part of the VBG team. Teri lives in Colorado, is married with 2 children, a son-in-law, and 2 beautiful granddaughters. Teri is a Christian, enjoys scrapbooking, photography, reading, and camping with her family. Her most special times are those that she spends lavishing attention on her grandchildren. Teri’s business URL: http://www.valuedservicevas.com/ (under construction.)
Ann Johnson, Virtual Business Group Media Coordinator
Ann’s background includes 6 years in the executive/administrative assistant industry working mainly for non-profits. She also worked in restaurant management and food server. She enjoys working with ministries and non-profits, aids with facilitation of establishing committees and helps to maintain compliance. Ann lives in Indiana, is married with 4 children—the youngest, a newborn. Ann believes that the re-organized VBG will be a valuable resource for virtual-based professionals and will prove itself to be the premiere networking organization for those in the cyber business world. Ann was nominated for the 2005 WAHM MVP. Ann’s business URL: http://beesquarevirtualassistants.com/.